Octagon Tennis Client Martina Hingis Announces Retirement

Mclean, Va. (October 26, 2017) – 25-time Grand Slam champion Martina Hingis has announced her retirement from professional tennis at the conclusion of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global. Hingis, who held the world No. 1 ranking for 209 non-consecutive weeks in singles, made her WTA Tour debut 23 years ago. The Swiss star won nine doubles titles, including the coveted US Open title, in 2017 and is also one of only six players to hold the WTA World No.1 ranking in singles and doubles at the same time.

“Martina treated tennis fans the world over to her own style of superb tennis artistry that was always modern yet also classically timeless,” said Phil de Picciotto, Octagon Founder and President. “Her journey has been quite remarkable, from attaining the world No. 1 singles ranking 20 years ago to retiring with the world No. 1 doubles ranking today, not to mention 25 Grand Slam titles along the way. Representing her is a tremendous honor, and I have no doubt that she will continue to make many positive impacts on the game and the world.”

Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2013, Hingis holds 43 WTA singles titles and 64 WTA doubles titles. The Swiss Tennis ambassador has racked up every major honor in the sport including Tour Comeback Player of the Year, Tour Doubles Team of the Year, Tour Player of the Year and Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year, among many others. Hingis was a member of the Swiss Fed Cup team and the Swiss Olympic Team where she won a silver medal in doubles during the Summer Games in 2016.

“Martina Hingis had two amazing careers,” said Todd Martin, CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. “As a singles player, I had never seen someone hit the right shot at the right time so consistently. She seemingly could hit every spot on the court. Her “second” career was amazing in that she reclaimed that maniacal focus to be the best after five years off, and now goes out on top.

“Martina has been a sterling model of a Hall of Famer, serving as our first Global Ambassador and speaking on behalf of the home of the history of tennis,” added Martin. “The International Tennis Hall of Fame applauds Martina’s Hall of Fame career and wishes her the very best in retirement and her future endeavors.”

The 37 year-old remains the youngest Grand Slam champion in history, having won the Wimbledon women’s doubles title at 15 years old and still remains as the youngest singles Grand Slam winner in the Open era. Hingis returned to the court in 2013 to play doubles exclusively. Since returning to the WTA Tour in 2013, she won 10 doubles Grand Slam titles.

Off the court, Hingis had strategic and loyal brand partnerships with some of the most recognizable names around the globe. In 2013, Hingis launched her own tennis apparel line, Tonic Tennis by Martina Hingis, and will continue to develop that brand to benefit future generations of athletes. In addition, Hingis will continue her 20+ year relationship with Yonex and her work with the international nonprofit, Right to Play, for which she will serve as their Ambassador in Switzerland.

Officially retired from competitive play, Hingis will use this free time to pursue her passions including horseback riding and skiing.

Octagon has a long and proud history in the sport of tennis that dates back over 30 years. The sports and entertainment agency has been at the forefront of sports marketing in tennis while representing some of the biggest names in the game, including Michael Chang, Johanna Konta, David Goffin, Dominika Cibulkova, Fernando Verdasco, Karolina Pliskova, among many others. Octagon also owns, manages and consults on more professional tennis tournament than any other entity in the world.

“Martina is a true champion and a great ambassador for the sport of women’s tennis. She has contributed greatly to the entire sport, both in her home country of Switzerland and across the globe. She will certainly be missed on our tour and with her accomplishments of holding the WTA No.1 ranking for 209 Weeks, 5 Grand Slam singles titles, 13 Grand Slam doubles titles and over 93 WTA singles and doubles titles she will be remembered as one of the greatest players to have played the game.”

Steve Simon, WTA CEO and Chairman

“From the time she was a teenager you knew Martina was destined for greatness. She is a genuine champion, both as an athlete and as a human being. Martina backs up her talent with determination, hard work, resilience and laser focus. She is generous, has a great sense of humor and a voracious appetite to learn. With so much gratitude and respect for what Martina has accomplished in her playing career, we wish her continued greatness. We will miss her endlessly.”

Micky Lawler, WTA President

“All of us at the Australian Open congratulate Martina on her magnificent tennis career. Martina enjoyed some of her greatest success here at Melbourne Park – it was where she won her first Grand Slam singles title and where she’s always said she felt very much at home. It’s unbelievable to think it’s been 20 years since we first saw her as a teenager lifting the trophy and that she’s continued to dominate in doubles. We will miss Martina’s on-court artistry and hope to welcome her back to the Australian Open very soon.”

Craig Tiley, Australian Open Tournament

"Martina has left her mark on women's tennis and the red clay of Roland Garros. I'd like to pay tribute and express gratitude for her passion for the game and for her competitive spirit; her two finals in singles and her three victories in doubles and mixed doubles in Paris demonstrate just that."

Bernard Guidicello, Président of the French Tennis Federation

“On behalf of The All England Club, we wish to offer Martina the warmest congratulations on an exceptional career. Ladies’ Singles champion in 1997, three times a Ladies’ Doubles champion in 1996, 1998 and 2015, it is fitting that Martina’s final appearance at The Championships this summer resulted in another Wimbledon title, her second in the Mixed Doubles, 23 years after she won her first Wimbledon silverware in the Girls’ Singles in 1994. We wish Martina the best for her retirement and look forward to welcoming her to Wimbledon as an Honorary Member in the future.”

Philip Brook, Chairman of The All England Club and The Championships

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